Super Duper Burgers, Daly City

3 Serramonte Center, Space 662, Daly City CA 94015
(650) 773-4041
Parking: mall parking

Last Visited: October 14, 2022

Food: 2 to 3 stars
Atmosphere: 3 stars
Service: 3 to 4 stars
Price: $$ 

So if you've read any of my reviews, you know I don't typically write about chain restaurants unless it's super impressive or super bad.  Here goes - I was excited to see a Super Duper Burgers pop up at Serramonte and after about a month of their being open and having gotten the kinks out, I was hoping that this was going to be a good experience. 

I arrived a little before 5pm, so the place was just starting to get busy.  There was a line to the registers and you have the option to use the two self-serve kiosks or order from a real person.  I opted for the latter. 

- Super Duper Burger - Two quarter-pound patties are served with super sauce.  I added the freebies of grilled onions, tomato, pickles, and lettuce, along with paying for added cheese and bacon.  I was not that hungry, but since we were in the neighborhood, I figured I could at least eat half, so I asked them to cut it. The first couple of bites were really good - nice grilled flavor and saltiness from the cheese and bacon.  The toppings were present, but not particularly noticeable.  The pickles don't actually come in the burger - those are actually over in the condiments area and you need to get them out of the jar yourself - see the upper left of the photo for a glimpse of the pickles. I wasn't actually that impressed by the pickles - they are crisp, but not that crunchy and they're quite tart.  If I was basing it on the time at the restaurant, I would definitely recommend the burger, but you have to keep reading to know the true verdict. $10 burger, +$1 cheese, +$1.50 bacon  

- Garlic Fries - The fries were drenched with garlic oil and topped with 6 month aged cheddar.  I thought it looked good when I saw others eating it while I was waiting for my food, but when it arrived, the fries were no longer crispy - at all. And they weren't particularly hot.  The cheese was in that mid-ground of not solid and cold, and also not melted, but greasy.  I couldn't find a single bite of fries that still had crunch and the bottom of the paper tray had a couple of teaspoons of oil there - it's as though they mixed a bunch of fries with garlic, left these in the bowl, they got soggy, and they served it anyway.  Then the cheese sprinkled on top didn't melt because the fries weren't hot enough.  Not recommended. $4.50

Okay, so this is where things go awry.  Throughout the evening, my dining partner and I were forever thirsty.  I ate garlic fries - I get it.  I will have garlic breath all night, but it just gets weirder.  I go to sleep, and I wake up constantly. Then I have a bad dream.  I don't usually have bad dreams.  And when I checked with my dining partner the next morning, I find out I wasn't the only one who had bad dreams.  

So my Super Duper experience was super duper thirsty, super duper oily, and super duper weird/bad dreams.  If the weather is hot, I might go try their Strauss soft serve shake or cone, but I don't have any plans to go back for a burger or fries.  Super Duper memorable, but not in the good kind of way.

Chef Gator's Rustic Burger & His Creole Friends

5 Petaluma Blvd South, Petaluma CA 94952
(707) 658-1845
Parking: in parking lot
https://www.gatorscreolefriends.com/

Last Visited: June 7, 2018

Food: 3 to 4 stars
Atmosphere: 3 to 4 stars
Service: 3 to 4 stars
Price: $$ to $$$

Cousin Jimmy, a local Petaluma food enthusiast, suggested that I try out this new joint. It's been open for a few months now.

Chef Gator was a contestant on Guy Fieri's grocery games and recently had a food truck with similar fare in Petaluma.  Photos from his Food Network episodes are on display in one wall.  The room has a casual feel with bright colors, seating at the bar, regular tables, and high top tables.  Order at the counter and get a number, then wait for food to be delivered to you.

- Gator's Chicken and Waffles - 2 piece leg & thigh, southern fried, served with peach cobbler butter and maple syrup.  It's as good as it sounds.  The waffle is crispy on the outside and soft in the center.  The chicken is well seasoned, crispy, and golden brown - the portion is hearty and the balance of crunchy with sweet is perfect.  The peach cobbler butter is a pleasant surprise.  Very good.  This dish would get four stars. $12.99

- Smoked Chicken & Cajun Sausage Jambalaya - While there's no photo here, the half order is quite large and sufficient for a small eater.  The jambalaya is thick and well-seasoned.  Tasty and a good deal.  Half order $6.99, Full order $12.99

- Rustic Cheese Burger with Fries - Grass fed beef patty on shredded lettuce, tomatoes, caramelized onions, creole mustard aioli, and choice of cheese.  Chef Gator informed us that the buns are made daily and seemed particularly proud of their rosemary flavoring.  The bun could hold up slightly better - near the last few bites, it seemed slightly soft.  The fries were crispy and also lightly seasoned.  My burger patty seemed to be denser in one section than another, but this didn't seem to be the case with the other burgers.  Otherwise, it was pretty good.  $7.75 a la carte, $10.75 with regular fries

Chef Gator came and chatted with us and shared that he'll soon be battling Bobby Flay on Beat Bobby Flay and is also working on other tv appearances.  I appreciated his friendly demeanor and down to earth spirit.  The staff was friendly, but when it comes to service, there is still room for improvement.  Their computer system seemed to have glitches - one of our three burgers didn't arrive with the rest of the meal and I had to remind them that I had ordered it.  Also, while they were good to inform us that the chicken and waffles may take more time and that they were holding on to all the dishes so that everything would arrive together, when it did come, one of the servers slid a burger across the table (and past three people) in order to get it to the right person. The other server walked her items around to the appropriate person.

Generally speaking, the menu looks good, but I would recommend the chicken and waffles for a real treat.

Jack's Prime Burgers & Shakes - American, San Mateo

3723 S El Camino Real, San Mateo CA 94403
(650) 638-1479
Parking: in parking lot and adjacent lot
http://www.jacksprime.com/

Last Visited: August 9, 2014

Food: 3 to 4 stars
Atmosphere: 3 to 4 stars
Service: 3 to 4 stars
Price: $$ to $$$ 

I had never heard of Jack's, but after reading some good reviews about it, it seemed like it was worth a try.  As we were driving by, we also noticed Jack's car wash next door.  This must be Jack's neighborhood.

From the exterior of the building, the diner theme came through loud and clear.  Booths, high top tables, and regular tables fill the space.  There were many families in the waiting area, but seats at the high top tables were available, so we were seated promptly and the host was friendly.  The menu is pretty simple - appetizers, burgers, and shakes.  If you're not into a burger, they have dinner-sized salads too.    Lots of folks were enjoying milk shakes, burgers, and fried fare.  Fried pickles seemed to be a super popular dish, but it looked heavily battered, so I opted for other fried treats. 

- Ultimate Bacon - Cheddar cheese, Applewood smoked bacon, bacon in the 1/3 pound patty, iceberg lettuce, maple bacon mayo - The unique thing about this burger is the bacon in the patty.  All of the fresh ingredients are good, but the extra flavor in the patty makes it special.  However if you cut the burger in half like I did, you'll find the bacon unevenly distributed, so it's not quite in every bite.  Good nonetheless.  The onion rings were a $1.50 upcharge, but worth it for the light and crispy batter.  The onion rings come with Russian dressing. Good stuff.   $12.75 without onion rings

- Whiskey Town Express - Angus beef patty with cheddar cheese, covered in bourbon glazed onions and mushrooms.  This patty melt came on toasted sourdough and was topped with mushrooms and onions.  It had an overwhelming amount of mayonnaise on it which made it feel and taste greasy so the experience was less palatable. The fries are fresh though - fried nicely on the outside and soft on the inside. $11.95 

Burgers run about $10-$13 each, and substituting onion rings or sweet potato fries instead of a side salad or fries costs $1.50 more.  You can also be more gourmet and add a fried egg, avocado, bacon, or another beef patty.

Service was friendly and they check on you between your meal.  They were good about refilling water too.  This is a good stop for a solid burger with fresh ingredients, but it lacked the wow factor for me.  The price you pay for the value you get it just ok.

The Refuge - American, Sandwiches, San Carlos

Best: Pastrami

963 Laurel St, San Carlos CA 94070
(650) 598-9813
Parking: street parking
Hours: Tues-Thurs 11:30am-2:30pm, 5pm-9pm; Fri 11:30am-2:30pm, 5pm-10pm; Sat-Sun 12pm-10pm; Closed Sun-Mon (except for private parties)
http://refugesc.com/

Last Visited: May 3, 2013

Food: 3 to 4 stars (5 star pastrami)
Atmosphere: 3 stars
Service: 3 stars
Price: $$ to $$$

Jay and Milly told me about The Refuge and their yummy pastrami.  Unfortunately, the first time I tried to go, they were closed because it was a Sunday.  Note that they are also closed on Mondays too.

Enter the dark restaurant and you'll see booths on one side and a bar on the other.  Tables are set in between as well.  The Refuge boasts 18 types of Belgian beer on tap as well as bottles.  However, their claim to fame is their amazing pastrami.  If that isn't enough to whet your appetite, they also have ribeye cheesesteaks and burgers too.  Don't worry, if you're on a gluten-free diet, they also offer a pastrami chopped salad.

- Pastrami Reuben - Pastrami, sauerkraut, melted swiss, Russian dressing, toasted rye. When the menu says their ultra-tender pastrami is created in house, from the heart of the navel, served warm with pickles and pickled onions, it might give you high expectations, but indeed, The Refuge serves pastrami that really is ultra-tender.  The pastrami sandwiches here are eye-catching and piled high with pastrami. It's not thinly sliced as you might find at other places, but hand-cut into thick pieces and mounded between toasted rye.  While I've had better bread elsewhere, wow, I couldn't believe how it just melts in your mouth.  Each bite really is ultra-tender and lives up to the menu description.  If you aren't a big eater, this sandwich could easily be shared by two people.  The toasted slices of bread could be crispier, but you won't be disappointed by the wonderful cured meat.  I actually would give the food a higher rating if the bread had been toasted more.  Four pickle spears are topped with pink pickled onion and served on the side.  Just in case you don't like sauerkraut, you can also choose from pastrami with coleslaw or with swiss and mustard.  Must try.  $16

- Green Salad - shredded Romaine lettuce, shredded carrots, spring mix, pickled onions and tomatoes.  While the menu says the dressing is a red wine vinaigrette, it looks more like a balsamic dressing when the flash isn't on. The little bowl is packed, so while it doens't look like a lot, it's a good quantity.  You're better off getting a large plate to mix the vegetables better if you like your salad evenly dressed since there is really no room to turn it in its original container.  Good and fresh. $4

- Garlic Fries served with hot chile mayo - The garlic fries are tasty - you definitely won't forget that you ordered them with garlic sauce. The hot chile mayo isn't too hot (or maybe the garlic made it less noticeable, but it pairs well with the fries). $6

Service would have gotten a higher rating if they had come to take our order sooner - we were sitting around waiting for quite a few minutes looking for someone to take my order even though there weren't many patrons present yet.  Also, after the food had been delivered, nobody came around between that time and the end of the meal to check on us. 

A couple of items to note: the Refuge is family friendly - there were a lot of little kids present.  Be sure to get there early.  Even though there is outdoor seating, the place fills up very quickly.  It's a bit noisy, but has a fun feel.  The Refuge serves up a delicious treat - you won't want to miss this pastrami experience.

Squeeze Inn - Burgers, Sacramento

Best: Cheese skirt on a burger

1350 Harbor Blvd, West Sacramento CA 95691
(916) 371-6779
Parking: in parking lot
Hours: Mon to Sat - 10am to 8pm, Closed Sundays

http://www.thesqueezeinn.com

Last Visited: March 17, 2012

Food: 3 to 4 stars
Atmosphere: 3 to 4 stars
Service: 3 to 4 stars
Price: $ to $$

After seeing Squeeze Inn on Guy Fieri's Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives, I knew that if I was ever in the area, I would have to try one of their burgers.  While the original Squeeze Inn was converted from an entrance way to a waffle house and therefore is very small, the newer locations look like typical fast food joints.  The original location fits 12 patrons, but there are now many locations including Midtown, Roseville, Tracy, Napa, Vacaville, and more.  Homage to the first location is made by showing facade of the original orange house.
A board showing the menu items is on the wall right next to the counter where you order. 

- Squeezecheese - Known as the 'best burger in town,' the squeezecheese is unique.  The skirt is called that for a reason - cheese is melted over 1/3 pound of hamburger and you can see from the photo that the cheese is the size of a dinner plate. Mayo, mustard, lettuce, tomato, pickles, and onion come with the burger which is placed on a sesame seed bun.  I enjoyed how all of the vegetables were very fresh, but the skirt is really impressive - eat it alone or fold it and eat it with the burger.  The chewy cheesy consistency is delicious if you're a cheese lover, just slightly browned on the bottom giving that extra flavor and crispiness on the edges.  One of a kind!  And for those with smaller appetites, one burger is definitely enough for two.  $6.99

- Sweet Potato Fries - I loved these thick cut fries.  At some restaurants, you'll find skinny fries, but these are super meaty and chunky.  A small order is very generous as you can see from the photo.  Served with ranch dressing a green aioli - yum.   Small $3.59, Large $4.29

In case you don't like cheese, a regular squeeze burger is available too.  A 1/4 pound burger is also available, and depending on the day, you'll even find tacos on the specials menu. 

The decor is very local and respects Sacramento's finest - t-shirts of local law enforcement and such.  It's spacious and clean and easily accessible in terms of parking too.

I also appreciated how someone came around to check on us after we had ordered and received our food.

Squeeze Inn is definitely worth checking out if you love cheese or a juicy burger.

Phyllis' Giant Hamburgers - American, Santa Rosa

4910 Sonoma Hwy, Suite B, Santa Rosa CA 95409, (707) 538-4000
924 Diablo Ave, Novato CA 94947, (415) 898-8294
Parking: parking in front
Hours: 11am to 9pm daily
http://www.phyllisgiantburgers.com/
Last Visited: October 19, 2010

Food: 3 stars
Atmosphere: 3 to 4 stars
Service: 3 stars
Price: $$ to $$$ (prices shown are from 2007)

Phyllis’ in Santa Rosa came with quite a bit of fanfare from the local newspaper anticipating its arrival. The fact that it’s on Highway 12 where everyone can see it probably helps too. It replaced the once popular Heavenly Hamburgers. Phyllis’ made a name for itself in San Rafael as being the Best Burgers in Marin. It then opened up a store in Novato, and now Santa Rosa.

The interior is reminiscent of an old diner (black and white checkered floor) with a big plasma television in the back playing recent DVDs. Outdoor seating is available also. I had a hard time deciding what to select from their menu since there were so many choices, but found service to be okay, though not spectacular. Considering nobody else was in line, I think service overall could have been a touch friendlier, especially since one could tell it was our first time coming to the restaurant. Menus are displayed on large signs behind the counter. There are six signs each with different information, so it can be a bit overwhelming. A Dreyer’s ice cream display sits next to the counter.

- Giant Burger (1/2 pound) – I chose the classic giant burger which was grilled and served on a sesame bun with mayo, mustard, lettuce, tomato, and onion. Ground chuck is used. I thought it was good and the size was generous for the price. It had a grilled flavor, but had potential to be even better. $4.95

- Chicken Club – All of their chicken burgers are served on a French roll with cheese. We selected jack cheese to go with our club which included mayo, bacon, lettuce, and tomato. I have to admit this was nothing special and I probably could have made the exact same thing at home with less grease. Okay. $6.95

- Curly Fries – Of all the food we had, this was the most surprising. We ordered a large curly fries and the quantity was enough to render us unconscious. For those with a large appetite, you probably could have shared the large curly fries amongst three people, and for small appetites, even four people. The fries are a terrific deal and very fresh too. Very good. Regular $2.50, Large $3.75

I didn’t know it until I got home and read the menu, but grilled onions are available at no charge. You just have to know to ask for it since they don’t offer it. The other note on service is that I saw others being offered a pickle with their burger. I wasn’t offered a pickle with my burger so I was disappointed about that.
It wasn’t the best burger I’ve ever had, but it was far from the worst. It’s definitely a few steps above fast food. It’s good for a beef burger, and if you’re looking for a fries fix, this would be an excellent choice.  Since my visit to Santa Rosa in 2007, I went to the Novato shop in 2010 and found the quality to be consistent.  The place is a little bigger in Novato and still good.

Mike's at the Crossroads - Burgers, Cotati

7665 Old Redwood Highway, Cotati, CA 94931
(707) 665-9999
Parking: in shopping center parking lot
http://mikesatthecrossroads.com/

Last Visited: June 18, 2005

Food: 3 to 4 stars
Atmosphere: 3 to 4 stars
Service: 3 stars
Price: $ to $$

Mike Condrin first opened Mike’s at the Yard (the Petaluma branch) in 1991. Since then, Mike’s has been a local favorite for his burgers and his ‘No Fries’ attitude. Mike’s at the Crossroads expanded the business to Cotati.

Each burger is made with half a pound of Harris Ranch Beef on a toasted bun and cooked until medium. All burgers come with cheese (because Mike thinks it should be there), and there’s no extra charge for it. All burgers come with a choice of macaroni salad, red potato salad, tossed green salad with vinaigrette, or chips. Under no circumstances will you find fries. You can read his eleven reasons why Mike doesn’t have French fries. I personally like reason number 9: ‘The burger is greasy by itself.’

Besides the Mike’s burger, you’ll also find a variety of additions that can be made to make your burger meet your tastebuds. Other burgers include: the “Go Jets” burger, Stinky Breath burger, and the Pesty Pesto Burger.

Walk into Mike’s and you’ll see the bar and the tables. The kitchen is located in the back corner on the right side. The television was on during our visit, and for your viewing pleasure are the In and Out burger t-shirts stuck to the ceiling. Each one contains a statement written in black marker about trading in the shirt for a Mike’s burger.

Upon our arrival, we were told to sit anywhere we liked, and a waitress promptly came and brought us menus. The girls were efficient and though a bit overwhelmed, they did a great job.

- Mike’s Burger – Available with bacon for an additional cost, the Mike’s burger is the most basic with a slice of cheese melted on top of the burger over a toasted bun. The top half of the toasted bun contains a mixture of chopped fresh tomatoes and pickles. A slice of lettuce, two slices of tomato, and a slice of red onion are placed upon the top half ready for you to assemble. The burger is juicy and delicious. The meat is cooked to a perfect medium, and is packed loose enough to feel soft and retain its juices. The bun is a bit on the soft side despite the toasting. For the side, I selected the tossed green salad. The kitchen gave me macaroni salad instead, but the waitress promptly brought me a large side of tossed green salad. I was disappointed by the green salad since all of it seemed to have rust on the edges. The macaroni salad wasn’t particularly exciting. I should have gone for the bag of chips. Great burger patty, and fresh fixings. $6.95

The place is not about ambiance, but it is about a good burger. Having been there only twice so far, it’s hard to tell if the bun can get toasted more, but if you like soft buns, then it’s just right as it is. I would suggest getting the bag of chips when you select your side. Great burger and great place to check out – even just to read the reasons for no fries.

Pongo's Kitchen & Tap - Thai/Burgers, Petaluma

701 Sonoma Mountain Parkway #C8, Petaluma CA 94954
(707) 765-9800
Parking: in shopping center parking lot
http://www.pongospetaluma.com/
Last Visited: June 2, 2012
Food: 3 stars

Atmosphere: 3 to 4 stars

Service: 2 stars

Price: $ to $$

Sadness.  After visiting Pongo's about a year after my initial visit, I have downgraded the food from 4 stars to 3 stars and service down to 2 stars.  While the flavors are still there for the pumpkin curry, I was thoroughly disappointed by the fact that the steamed rice was not fresh.  I've heard that the food is the highest quality when Pongo is actually in the house, but today, he was off, so the food was also off.  The rice wasn't steaming and was actually a little bit hard.  As I separated the mound of rice, I noticed that it wasn't hot inside. It seemed like it had just been microwaved. 

- Prawn rolls - The menu describes it as fried crispy rolls that are stuffed with prawns and chicken along with red curry and basil.  A ginger chili dipping sauce accompanies the dish. I was pretty disappointed by these rolls.  Five rolls are served on a plate and you pretty much just taste the prawn.  The texture of the other items just blends in and I felt like texture contrast was missing.  The roll lacked a freshness to it and wasn't as crispy as it could have been.  I wouldn't get this again.  $8.50

The service was still amateurish. We had a different server, but when he brought out the plates for our appetizer, he just left them in a pile on the table without distributing them. I was surprised that he left them this way since they weren't busy - there was only one other table of people.  

Pongo's can be really good - they just need to be more disciplined and make sure that the food quality stays as high as possible even when Pongo is away.  If they can do that and perfect the service more, they'll be back on top again.

May 7, 2011 visit

Pongo's opened up about a month ago and has taken over the spot formerly occupied by Julian's.  Located in the same shopping center as G&G Market, it's very accessible and will be a nice addition to this area if it can attract enough clientele.  Fellow foodie James went there a couple of times and recommended it to me highly for Thai food.

After James told me about Pongo's, I tried to find some information about them on the internet, but only found a very sparse Facebook page.  There were some good reviews on yelp, but no visible web presence - no photos, no menu - with a name like Pongo's, I wasn't clear about what kind of restaurant I would be going to try out.   

I was very surprised to find that it was called Pongo's Kitchen and Tap.  That name was still a little confusing, but after I saw the bar with two large screen televisions above it, along with the combination menu of primarily traditional Thai dishes and burgers, I have to admit, I was still a bit confused.  After talking to the owners, it started to make sense.  Pongo had partnered with another family and their two ideas had combined to form this restaurant.  While burgers and sandwiches may serve the bar folks, Thai food with fun comments like "he can cook; he really can" to describe Nick's special pan fried rice noodles, are the highlight of the menu. 

Pongo was formerly the chef at Jhanthong Banbua in Santa Rosa (one of my former favorite lunch places when I worked in the area) and he also owned the Thai fast food station at Northgate Mall.  Knowing he once cooked at Jhanthong, I had a feeling I would enjoy the food.

- Chicken Satay - Marinated, grilled chicken breast skewers served with a peanut dipping sauce and a cucumber salad cup.  The fact that the chicken was marinated made an incredible difference.  The white meat chicken was tender and moist.  The peanut dipping sauce was rich and paired well with the chicken.  While the ingredients of the cucumber salad were standard, I would prefer it to be more tart - the dressing/vinegar was a little too light and almost bland.  Great chicken. $7

Choice of chicken, beef, pork, or tofu are available for most of the dishes.  Add $2 for prawns, $3 for combination or fresh mixed seafood.

- Pad Thai Noodles - The pad thai noodles contain the same ingredients as what you would find at most Thai restaurants, but what I really appreciated was that it wasn't too sweet and the noodles had a terrific texture - slightly al dente, yet still very tender.  he colors also show how nicely it was presented.  I selected beef for this dish and found that the beef was tender and didn't have any hint of being frozen.  The color of the sauce leans more on the brown (versus orange side). Very good. $8.50

- Pumpkin Curry - Kabocha squash, bell pepper, bamboo shoots, and basial in a red curry sauce, served with steamed rice  This pumpkin curry was a little more thin than I prefer, but it had good flavor.  I selected tofu for this dish.  There was a good balance of red peppers, and other vegetables - there were no 'filler' vegetables as I call them (sometimes you find cabbage and other things that don't seem to belong or aren't authentic to curry dishes), but this didn't even have a hint of that issue.  I am curious to know if there would be as much meat as there was tofu if I had selected meat.  I also liked how they had included rice with the dish - at most Thai places, you need to order rice separately.  $8.75

Service was friendly and I saw that a lot of patrons knew the restaurant owners.  However, some of the people assisting with serving tonight weren't familiar with the menu or even what table numbers corresponded with which location.  Also, as the restaurant began to fill up and we were finishing our meal, it took a long time for someone to come back to clear the table and bring the check.

Pongo's has a lot of potential, but they have a few kinks to work out.  They need a more prominent sign outside because the temporary one isn't very eye-catching.  All of the staff need to be familiar with the menu, otherwise, they need to stay behind the counter or assist in some other manner.  They need to build a stronger web presence to attract new clients.  Fortunately, the food is delicious - good enough that I would go back and try more of their menu, but until these other things get worked out, it will be harder to pull in new people and get them to keep coming back.

Gayle's Superburger - American, Santa Rosa

1501 4th St, Santa Rosa CA 95404
(707) 546-4016
Parking: Ample street parking
Hours: Tues to Fri: 11am to 8pm, Saturday 11am to 5pm, Closed Sundays and Mondays

Last Visited: December 6, 2006

Food: 3 to 4 stars
Atmosphere: 3 to 4 stars
Service: 2 to 3 stars
Price: $ to $$

From the outside, Gayle’s looks like a small little shop with its white paint and blue trim. The movable sign that says Superburger has a flower bed on top that adds a touch of color. Arthur recommended Superburger as a must try for great burgers and excellent pie. I would agree with the great burgers – more on that later.

Outside is a window to walk up and order for take out. There are a total of twenty seats inside on three sides of a rectangular counter. The swivel chairs are cushioned and comfortable. The seats give a full view of what everyone else is having, what’s taking place behind the counter, and the large bright blue menu hanging at the front of the restaurant.

The counter has the usual chrome napkin holders, ketchup and mustard, and every few stools is a movable container holding mayonnaise, relish, pickles, and onions. When it’s your turn to receive an order, the waitress will move the container to your seat. It’s a simple operation with the cook behind the counter grilling and frying lots of goodies.

The operation is small with at least three people working – one waiting the counter, one cook, and one person prepping food in the back. Seating is self serve upon entering. Sports memorabilia hangs on the far wall – a menu signed by Joe Montana, a champion hockey stick, and more. The regular patrons are called by name when they enter the place.

The menu offers regular size burgers, cheese burgers, king size burgers, onion rings, fries, BLTs, hot dogs, chili, and more. There are also a variety of shakes and malts.

- Cheese King with Fries – 1/3 of a pound of meat is shaped into a patty and grilled. A slice of American cheese tops the burger which is placed on a large bun with tomatoes and lettuce. You add on the additional toppings if you so desire. The fries are skinny, but crunchy. They come out so hot that they burn your fingers. All are placed in a paper lined basket. During my second visit, the fries were not that hot – it took some work to get the salt to stick to them In 2006, the price had gone up to $7.25.

- Homemade Pie – Of all the things I tried, this was probably the most disappointing. It might have been the hype that came when the restaurant was first recommended. I tried a slice of peach pie. Presentation was average with the filling oozing out of the pie. I think what was more shocking was the price versus the quantity and quality. The price is about the same as the cost of a whole pie at the supermarket. Although it’s not the same comparison, the pie was average at best with the filling being okay, but the crust was a bit too soft, and just not to my tastes. I prefer my own homemade pie. $4.15

- Shake – I tried a vanilla shake. Even though they use reduced fat milk, the shake was tall, rich, and creamy. They make it in a stainless cup and let it froth to just the right consistency. Very good. The shake is also offered in classic chocolate, and for a slightly higher price, banana and strawberry. $3.80

Overall, the 2004 experience was good. The people (both staff and patrons) are entertaining to watch. The service is good and fits with the atmosphere. However, in 2006, I found the service to be fair and dropped the 3 to 4 star rating down to 2 to 3. Although the gal asked us if we needed anything fairly frequently, her demeanor could have been improved. Our drinks were plopped on the counter rather than placed and her method seemed to lack that friendliness that I felt before. Gayle’s Superburger indeed offers a great burger and is definitely worth a try.

Happy Dog - American/Burgers, Sonoma

18762 Sonoma Highway, Sonoma, CA 95476
(707) 935-6211
Parking: small parking lot on the side, minimal street parking

Last Visited: 2009

Food: 4 stars
Atmosphere: 4 stars
Service: 4 stars
Price: $

Happy Dog has been an institution in Sonoma for many years. As you enter the valley, you’ll be welcomed by that yellow dog with black spots as you pass by their establishment. This dog is painted on the outside and inside of the buildings.

Since my last visit, there have been a number of upgrades. Although the tables and arcade games remain the same, the floor is now tiled and the countertop has been replaced with slab granite.

- Hamburger – A charbroiled patty (and it is charbroiled when you order it and done right behind the counter) is served between a toasted sesame bun lightly slathered with mayonnaise. Lettuce, a slice of tomato, onion slices, and pickle slices are the only other ingredients. You add your own additional condiments. It’s juicy and delicious and sure to fill your stomach. If you prefer larger portions, a double cheeseburger is also available. Each is wrapped in paper and ready to go. The cheeseburger is fantastic too. One thing that makes these burgers so great - the buns are delivered fresh daily. Regular Hamburger $3.35 / Cheeseburger available for $3.75

- French Fries – A tray of thick cut fries are served fresh. Just a little crunchy on the outside, it’s sure to hit the spot. Great. I only wish there were more. :) $1.85

- Onion Rings – There are about eight onion rings. They are lightly battered and fried until crispy. They’re not the huge rings, but they’re not overly battered either. Good. $1.45

- Fish Burger – Although I didn’t eat this one myself, I saw that the fresh was very fresh and didn’t taste fishy at all $4.65

- Chocolate shake - Ever so delicious and creamy, it will be a superb treat that accompanies any of the burgers, or just enjoyed alone. Decadent and rich, it tastes ever so good.

Fried chicken patty burgers, grilled chicken burgers, hot dogs, chili dogs, and corn dogs are other available options.

It’s a classic place with fresh tasting hamburgers. They’re juicy and delicious and certainly will warm your belly.

Barney's Gourmet Hamburgers - Berkeley

1591 Solano Ave, Berkeley, CA 94707
(510) 526-8185
(with multiple locations in Berkeley, Oakland, San Rafael, and San Francisco)
Parking: street parking
Hours: 11am to 9pm or later depending on the day of the week

http://www.barneyshamburgers.com/

Last Visited: July 20, 2003

Food: 3 to 4 stars
Service: 3 stars
Atmosphere: 2 to 3 stars
Price: $ to $$

Barney’s is a local institution. If you want a restaurant burger, this is the place to go. The burgers are large and come in just about any form you can think of – with mushrooms, guacamole, onions, etc. Their selection is sure to please.

The décor is simple. You’re mostly there for the burgers. Barney’s also has great milkshakes. The only caveat is that fries must be ordered separately. It’s a great place to go for a hearty burger anytime. Barney’s also has an excellent basket of fried vegetables (onion rings, mushrooms, zucchini, or a mix of them all )– these are fried with a seasoned beer batter until golden brown and sprinkled with parmesan cheese. Yum! The basket is a meal in itself. Salads are large and big enough to be shared. Check out Barney’s.

Gott's Roadside Party - Napa, Burgers

Oxbow Market
644 First Street
Napa CA 94559
(707) 224-6900
Parking: in shopping center parking lot
Hours: 10:30am - 9pm

http://www.gottsroadside.com/

Last Visited: March 26, 2010

Food: tonight was free, and not made to order, so it's unrated
Atmosphere: 3 stars
Service: 4 stars
Price: $$ to $$$

After ten years of being Taylor's Automatic Refresher, the Gott brothers have decided to change names to Gott's Roadside "Tray Gourmet." To celebrate the name change, they held a party at each of their three locations in San Francisco at the Ferry Building, at Oxbow Market in Napa, and in St. Helena. I found out about the party on Twitter after seeing a brief tweet about the name change and looking around to investigate the reasoning behind it.

I took to the street and decided to check out the party firsthand. The doors opened at 6pm and I was standing in line at 5:30 along with the folks in this picture. I happened to meet Richard and his friend and a nice elderly couple, all from Napa. The great thing about this area is the friendliness of people around. We stood around chatting with each other about other great places to eat as well as the generosity of the Gott brothers to throw this party.

Tonight's dinner was free with a choice of a Seoul burger (pulled pork with non-spicy kimchee and a touch of hoisin sauce on a bun), Ahi burger (seared ahi with ginger wasabi mayo and asian slaw on a toasted egg bun, a cheeseburger and fries. We also had a choice of soda, beer, or sparkling wine. Lastly, a generous neopolitan ice cream sandwich was also served.

Make no mistake, everything was served full size. Upon opening at 6pm, the assembly was going full blast in the kitchen and the people were making their way through the line, first to get their free Gott's T-shirt, featured above and then to the counter for a drink. Tables were set up with the various types of burgers available and we were on our way.

- Seoul burger - This is a nice change if you want to try something a little different. The pulled pork is well-flavored and the kim-chee gives a nice crunch. Since tonight's burger wasn't made to order, I have a feeling that it would be hotter in temperature if normally ordered. Interesting stuff.

- Ahi burger - The ahi is a five ounce portion. Although this too was served at room temperature, normally, I suspect it's a little warmer. The ahi is tender and the wasabi is mild. Typically, this is sold for $14.99 (how generous of the Gott's to share this burger with us tonight).

In any case, although this isn't exactly my normal type of review, the good will of the Gott's was made apparent and Napa has a lot of love for them. That ice cream sandwich really hit the spot too!

Taylor's Refresher is now Gott's Roadside

Taylor's Automatic Refresher (St. Helena, Napa, San Francisco) recently changed its name to Gott's Roadside Tray Gourmet.

To celebrate, the San Francisco location is having a party from 6-8pm on Thursday, March 25, offering free food and the Napa and St. Helena locations are having their parties from 6-8pm on Friday, March 26.

More details on their Facebook page:
http://www.facebook.com/GottsRoadside?v=app_2344061033